返回Google圖書搜尋

Henry Laurens Papers

出版	1762
URL	http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=ZejLjwEACAAJ&hl=&source=gbs_api

註釋An unpublished letter, 30 May 1782, from Henry Laurens in Amsterdam (Netherlands), to John Hanson, President of the Continental Congress in Phildalphia, describes in detail Laurens' imprisonment in the Tower of London from October 1780 until December 1781, the support among the British people for American independence, and seeking to correct some erroneous reports in circulation, some of which involved Benjamin Franklin. The British released Laurens in late 1781 as part of a prisoner exchange for Lord Cornwallis, who had been captured at the Battle of Yorktown. Because Great Britain and the United States were still at war, Laurens had multiple copies of this particular letter drafted and sent on several different vessels in order to ensure that at least one copy would reach Congress. Laurens complains that although he had heard rumors that Benjamin Franklin had been in contact with Edmund Burke regarding Laurens' exchange for General Burgoyne, he heard nothing more of it while imprisoned. He also complains that Franklin believed erroneous reports that Laurens "was well satisfied with the Treatment I had received in my imprisonment" and that "he directed the pittance of One hundred Pounds to be paid to me if I should stand in need." He states that he has not heard from Franklin in the several months since his release, and has certainly not received any money. After Laurens' release, he still did not enjoy full freedom of movement and had to appear periodically before the Court of King's Bench, however, he was nevertheless able to meet with John Adams in the Netherlands. Laurens also reports that he had "been lately very much among the [People of England]" and they "are sincerely disposed to Peace with America, and to accede to her absolute independence." Recipient, John Hanson added his own comments to the last page of Laurens' letter. Reacting to Laurens' statement that he swore to the British officials who decided to parole him that he would "do no such act that shall involve me in an acknowledgement of subjection to this realm," Hanson records his belief that "this Declaration had a very great effect upon the minds of the people in England, in favor of American Independence." In reference to Laurens' recounting of his receipt of his commission as a member of the peace delegation and his rejection of that offer, Hanson writes that "five persons are mentioned in the commission." In his final note, Hanson expresses his hope that the Peace Bill mentioned by Laurens would pass the House of Commons swiftly.